Officially in remission

dbehlen
dbehlen Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I have ovarian cancer stage III and have just completed my first round of taxol and carbo. I now have a clear CT and a CA125 of 11, so I have been told I am in remission. I started a 12 month series of taxotere two weeks ago and so far haven't had many problems. I do wonder if everyone with ovarian cancer fears every little pain and strange feeling in their belly? Also, do you have a puffiness in the belly area...no pain, just fat feeling.
This is truly a great resource...thanks to you all who help us on this new a bumpy journey.

Comments

  • jamilou
    jamilou Member Posts: 200
    #2
    Hi
    Congratulations on your CA125. It is always good to get a good report! It is very natural, I believe, to worry about pain in any area of your body once you have been dx with cancer. Always tell your doctor about any pain no matter how insignificant you might think that it is. Let him decide if it's "nothing". I have found that the fear never really goes away...you just learn how to deal with it and keep living each day to its fullest. Good luck to you!
    God Bless
    Jami
    Live, Love, Laugh!
  • JackieR
    JackieR Member Posts: 1
    #3
    Hi!
    I have ovarian cancer stage III. I am now 3 1/2 years in remission. I went through the same chemo therapy as you did after having a total hysterectomy. I just went to the Dr. My scans were all clear and am awaiting my CA125 result. I have just graduated to being seen by my oncologist every 6 months. I have had some problems over the past 3 1/2 years but all have turned out to be nothing. The fear is always there but I've learned to deal with it and learned to live each day to the fullest. Good luck to you!
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #4
    Congratulations on your remission and low CA125! Yes, I too will always feel like I have the cancer breathing down my neck. But, as with everyone else, you just have to be alert, talk to your doctor about everything, no matter how insignificant, do the best you can, and LIVE LIFE! I have what my doctor believes to be a lymphocele that we are keeping an eye on. I go for a CT next week and an appointment with the doctor the following week. Of course, I'm a little anxious till then. But I try not to think about it much. I am quite busy right now with so many things it does keep me occupied. But I also will notice every little twinge of pain, etc. I just take my list with me to the doctor and let him decide. I trust him a great deal, but if I don't feel comfortable with an answer, I'll continue to ask and follow-up.

    Again, I'm so happy for you! This March 27 will be 5 years since my surgery and August is 5 years since my chemo ended.

    God Bless you!
    Monika
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #5
    It's been about 2 1/2 years since I had my surgery, and my CA-125 has never been as low as 11, so hang on to that number!

    I have a habit of obsessing on any ache or pain just before my doctor visits, so I'm glad they're six months apart now.

    Finally, my belly's been puffy for so long now, I wouldn't know what to do with a flat one! I'm just happy that it's not as prominent as it was prior to my surgery. I look horrible in pictures from that summer. I look as bad as I felt.

    This is a great resource, isn't it? I don't discuss my cancer experience with people that I work with, because I was still in chemo when I interviewed for my present position, and don't really want to discuss it with the folks I work with. It's good to have another group with similar experience to "talk" and compare notes with (in addition to my local support group).
  • grizzgrizz50
    grizzgrizz50 Member Posts: 3
    #6
    Are you kidding! I wonder all the time! I had my last chemo Dec 5 and have my first post chemo visit in April. I just got over being very worried. I've been working part time and every once in a while my tummy gets sore if I do too much but after a day of rest I'm back to normal. Last week that wasn't the case. It took me at least 3 days to recover. I thought about calling the dr but didn't. I feel fine now but I wrote down what happened and will ask my dr when I see him. Can you please tell me what you 12 month series of taxotere is? A pill? I've never heard of it. Good luck and take care.
  • carme
    carme Member Posts: 5
    #7
    I also had ovarian cancer last year in feb. 2004 and had 8hr surgery, 2 wks in the hospital and 6 chemo treatments (carbo and taxol) In july it will be a year since my last chemo treatment. What helped me and still helps is good nutrition (at least five to nine fruits and veggies a day- a variety), talking about my experience and a whole lot of prays! I think it's on your mind everyday but in time it does get better but I think when you feel something you always think about it but I believe even though we had surgery (hysterectomy) I still believe you go through some monthly discomfort. The most important thing is to always, always keep the faith (you need HOPE to cope) and take extra good care of yourself. I always tell people, would you take care of your car the way you take care of yourself and they usually say no I take better care of my car. not good. God bless and be well !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • dbehlen
    dbehlen Member Posts: 2
    #8
    grizzgrizz50 said:

    Are you kidding! I wonder all the time! I had my last chemo Dec 5 and have my first post chemo visit in April. I just got over being very worried. I've been working part time and every once in a while my tummy gets sore if I do too much but after a day of rest I'm back to normal. Last week that wasn't the case. It took me at least 3 days to recover. I thought about calling the dr but didn't. I feel fine now but I wrote down what happened and will ask my dr when I see him. Can you please tell me what you 12 month series of taxotere is? A pill? I've never heard of it. Good luck and take care.

    Taxotere is another IV chemo. They have used it for several other cancers. There have been several studies, according to my oncologist-gyn-surgeon and my treatment oncologist, so I have treatment by committee. So far, the taxotere has different side effects that the taxol. At least my hair is growing back. Anyway, I do IV chemo every 4 weeks for 12 months. I have had 2 treatments so far and got my CA125 back today with an 8. Feel really good about that.
    Thanks so much for taking time to talk to me. If you want to email me direct, it's dbehlen@yahoo.com
    Good luck to you too.

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